Won Bin

Won was born on November 10, 1977, in Jeongseon County in Gangwon Province, South Korea. He is the fifth and youngest child, with one brother and three sisters. His father was employed in a mine and his mother worked on a farm. As was common for other children living in mountainous regions, Won spent most of his time playing around with friends in the mountains and rivers. He was frequently shy, introspective, and quiet, character traits that would continue to follow him throughout adulthood. While not talkative or outgoing, he excelled at athletics. Won started taekwondo lessons and holds a black belt. He graduated from Chuncheon Mech Tech High School and initially planned to become a car mechanic due to his interest in car racing and motorcycling.{{Cite web |date=Autumn 2000 |url=http://wonbin.yuku.com/topic/848 |title=Won Bin - A story behind the success |access-date=August 6, 2009 |work=Sports Seoul |archive-date=March 11, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120311060652/http://wonbin.yuku.com/topic/848}}

In November 1995, a cable television network was looking to recruit new actors; Won applied and was accepted in his last semester of high school. He was soon noticed by the fashion designer André Kim, who invited him to appear in his fashion show. Afterward, Won signed up with a talent agency and decided to take the stage name "Won Bin".

Won made his acting debut with a supporting role in the 1997 television series Propose. He then starred in the series Ready Go! (1998) and Kwangki (1999). In 1998, Won graduated from the Broadcasting and Entertainment Department at Paekche Institute of the Arts.{{cite web |title=원빈 > 백제스타 – 백제예술대학교 |url=https://www.paekche.ac.kr/ict/pms/board.php?bo_table=main_star&wr_id=40 |trans-title=Won Bin > Paekche Star – Paekche Institute of the Arts |language=ko |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250420144433/https://www.paekche.ac.kr/ict/pms/board.php?bo_table=main_star&wr_id=40 |archive-date=April 20, 2025 |access-date=April 20, 2025 |website=Paekche Institute of the Arts}}{{cite web |date=May 7, 2002 |title=[캠퍼스 청춘예찬] 백제예술대학 방송연예과 |url=https://www.jjan.kr/article/20020506060738 |trans-title=Paekche Institute of the Arts Broadcasting and Entertainment Department |language=ko |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250420150037/https://www.jjan.kr/article/20020506060738 |archive-date=April 20, 2025 |access-date=April 20, 2025 |website=Jeonbuk Ilbo}}

Won had his big breakthrough in 2000. He played the rebellious youngest son in the critically acclaimed drama Tough Guy's Love (Kkokji). However, it was Autumn in My Heart that brought him widespread recognition not only in Korea but throughout Asia. The series became widely popular outside of Korea, ushering in the cultural phenomenon known as the "Korean Wave".{{cite web |last=Sohn |first=JiAe |date=August 29, 2016 |title=K-drama masterpieces (2): 'Autumn in My Heart' |url=https://www.korea.net/NewsFocus/Culture/view?articleId=139975 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250421052019/https://www.korea.net/NewsFocus/Culture/view?articleId=139975 |archive-date=April 21, 2025 |access-date=April 21, 2025 |website=Korea.net}}

In 2001, Won graduated from the Department of Theater at Yong In University.{{cite web |date=December 6, 2002 |title=탤런트 원빈 용인대 석사과정 합격 |url=https://cine21.com/news/view/?mag_id=15604 |trans-title=Talent Won Bin Passed Master's course at Yongin University |language=ko |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250421041452/https://cine21.com/news/view/?mag_id=15604 |archive-date=April 21, 2025 |access-date=April 21, 2025 |website=Cine21}} In 2002, he appeared in the series Friends, the first South Korean–Japanese co-production. Also that year, he took the master's course in the Department of Film of the Graduate School of Arts, Yong In University.

Won's first major big-screen success was the war drama Taegukgi, in which he played a sensitive younger brother who was forcefully drafted into the South Korean army at the start of the Korean War. Taegukgi became the highest-grossing film in South Korea in 2004, selling 11.75 million tickets.{{cite web |last=Kehr |first=Dave |date=September 3, 2004 |title=Revisiting the Korean War in a Tale of Two Brothers |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/03/movies/revisiting-the-korean-war-in-a-tale-of-two-brothers.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119111433/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/03/movies/revisiting-the-korean-war-in-a-tale-of-two-brothers.html |archive-date=November 19, 2023 |access-date=April 20, 2025 |website=The New York Times}} Won also starred in such popular films as Guns & Talks (2001) and My Brother (2004).

In November 2005, Won enlisted for mandatory military service. He was stationed at the Korean Demilitarized Zone, a position for which he volunteered.{{Cite web |date=January 10, 2006 |url=http://news3.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-01/10/content_4031451.htm |title=Won Bin heads for frontline army post |access-date=August 6, 2009 |work=Xinhua News Agency |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120301111740/http://news3.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-01/10/content_4031451.htm |archive-date=March 1, 2012}}{{Cite web |date=February 11, 2006 |url=http://english.donga.com/srv/service.php3?bicode=050000&biid=2006021173328 |title=Actor Won Bin Reports for DMZ Duty |access-date=August 6, 2009 |work=The Dong-A Ilbo |archive-date=February 5, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160205030650/http://english.donga.com/srv/service.php3?bicode=050000 |url-status=live}} On June 2, 2006, the military officially confirmed that Won would no longer be active.{{Cite web |date=January 2, 2006 |url=http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200606/200606020023.html |title=Star Discharged After Brief Stint With Frontline Unit |access-date=August 6, 2009 |work=The Chosun Ilbo |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080419215008/http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200606/200606020023.html |archive-date=April 19, 2008}} The decision was made by the military when Won sustained injury to his ACL. He underwent surgery and was officially discharged on June 7, 2006.{{Cite web |date=January 7, 2006 |url=http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200606/200606070011.html |title=Injured Star Discharged from Military Service |access-date=August 6, 2009 |work=The Chosun Ilbo |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081022112031/http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200606/200606070011.html |archive-date=October 22, 2008}} The rehabilitation from the injury took more than a year.

In September 2007, Won was appointed as a special representative of the Korean Committee for UNICEF. He participated in various programs and charity events for the organization over the years. In June 2024, he was appointed UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in Korea.{{cite web |title=원빈 친선대사 |url=https://www.unicef.or.kr/about-us/people/won-bin |trans-title=Won Bin Goodwill Ambassador |language=ko |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250416111131/https://www.unicef.or.kr/about-us/people/won-bin |archive-date=April 16, 2025 |access-date=April 16, 2025 |website=UNICEF}}

After a five-year break, Won returned to the screen with the film Mother, directed by Bong Joon Ho. The film premiered in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival.{{cite web |date=May 8, 2009 |title=Cannes Screening for Film "Mother" Set |url=https://world.kbs.co.kr/service/contents_view.htm?lang=e&menu_cate=enternews&id=&board_seq=168672&page=354&board_code= |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250421035208/https://world.kbs.co.kr/service/contents_view.htm?lang=e&menu_cate=enternews&id=&board_seq=168672&page=354&board_code= |archive-date=April 21, 2025 |access-date=April 21, 2025 |website=KBS World}} This was followed by The Man from Nowhere, which became the highest-grossing film in South Korea in 2010, and also Won's final appearance as an actor to date.{{cite web |last=Breihan |first=Tom |date=September 22, 2017 |title=In South Korea, a horrifically extreme thriller can be the box-office champion of the year |url=https://www.avclub.com/in-south-korea-a-horrifically-extreme-thriller-can-be-1805660477 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250420122143/https://www.avclub.com/in-south-korea-a-horrifically-extreme-thriller-can-be-1805660477 |archive-date=April 20, 2025 |access-date=April 20, 2025 |website=The A.V. Club}}

Despite his prolonged hiatus from acting, Won retains his popularity with the public. In 2024, Gallup Korea conducted a survey on "The actor you want to see again", in which Won took first place.{{cite web |date=January 28, 2025 |title='15년 공백→은퇴설' 원빈, 근황만 떠도 화제..'다시 보고 싶은 배우 1위' 위엄 [★FOCUS] |url=https://www.starnewskorea.com/stview.php?no=2025012501131693241&type=3 |trans-title='15-year hiatus → retirement rumors' Won Bin, even just his current status is a hot topic..'No. 1 actor I want to see again' |language=ko |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250403095553/https://www.starnewskorea.com/stview.php?no=2025012501131693241&type=3 |archive-date=April 3, 2025 |access-date=April 3, 2025 |website=Star News}}

On May 30, 2015, Won married actress Lee Na-young in a small, private ceremony held in Won's hometown of Jeongseon County.{{cite web|title=Actor Won Bin ties knot with actress Lee Na-young|url=http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20150531000037|website=The Korea Herald|access-date=May 31, 2015|date=May 31, 2015|archive-date=May 31, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150531022654/http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20150531000037|url-status=live}} The couple reportedly began dating in August 2012.{{cite web |last=Yoon |first=Min-sik |date=July 3, 2013 |title=Won Bin, Lee Na-young dating: agency |url=https://www.koreaherald.com/article/15111 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250406103421/https://www.koreaherald.com/article/15111 |archive-date=April 6, 2025 |access-date=April 6, 2025 |website=The Korea Herald}} Lee gave birth to their son in December 2015.{{cite web |last=Sung |first=So-young |date=December 20, 2015 |title=Won Bin, Lee Na-young are parents |url=https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2015/12/20/etc/Won-Bin-Lee-Nayoung-are-parents/3013015.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250208140615/https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2015/12/20/etc/Won-Bin-Lee-Nayoung-are-parents/3013015.html |archive-date=February 8, 2025 |access-date=April 17, 2025 |website=Korea JoongAng Daily}}

In 2001, Won became an exclusive model for Nadri Cosmetics, participating in a commercial video alongside Korean singer Park Ji-yoon.{{Cite web |year=2001 |script-title=ko:영화 포스터같은 화장품 옥외광고..나드리 '커버링 파우더' |trans-title=Cosmetics outdoor advertisement that looks like a movie poster.. Nadri 'Covering Powder' |url=https://plus.hankyung.com/apps/newsinside.view?aid=2001030751251&category=&sns=y |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=plus.hankyung.com |language=KO |publication-date=March 8, 2001 |archive-date=2024-10-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241004171429/https://plus.hankyung.com/apps/newsinside.view?aid=2001030751251&category=&sns=y |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2001-03-23 |title=[CF와 놀아나다]원빈과 박지윤의 아찔한 만남 |url=https://www.donga.com/news/article/all/20010323/7666685/1 |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=The Dong-A Ilbo |language=ko |archive-date=2024-10-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241004171500/https://www.donga.com/news/article/all/20010323/7666685/1 |url-status=live }} In 2012, Won became an endorsement model for the worldwide male cosmetics brand 'Biotherm Homme'.{{Cite web |title=Won Bin becomes endorsement model for 'Biotherm Homme' |url=https://www.allkpop.com/article/2012/12/won-bin-becomes-endorsement-model-for-biotherm-homme |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=Allkpop |language=en |archive-date=2018-01-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180107024937/https://www.allkpop.com/article/2012/12/won-bin-becomes-endorsement-model-for-biotherm-homme |url-status=live }}{{Unreliable source?|reason=See reliable sources list on WP:KO/RS|date=March 2025}}{{Cite web |last=Kimberly |date=2012-12-20 |title=Won Bin endorses Biotherm Homme |url=https://www.hellokpop.com/news/won-bin-endorses-biotherm-homme/ |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=HELLOKPOP |language=en-US |archive-date=2024-10-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241004171433/https://www.hellokpop.com/news/won-bin-endorses-biotherm-homme/ |url-status=live }}{{Unreliable source?|reason=See reliable sources list on WP:KO/RS|date=March 2025}} In 2020, OLZEN menswear featured Won in their fall pictorial shoot.{{Cite web |script-title=ko:나이 먹을수록 더 멋있어지는 원빈, 화보 통해 근황 공개 |url=https://v.daum.net/v/20200823095455300 |access-date=2024-08-06 |website=다음 - 스포츠조선 |archive-date=2024-08-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240806032111/https://v.daum.net/v/20200823095455300 |url-status=live }}

File:Won bin at LG’S NEW CINEMA 3D TV REWRITES THE RULES FOR 3D.jpg

Many artists in South Korea consider Won to be one of the best examples of a good-looking man; he was nicknamed "Godbin" by Korean internet users.

Adding to his mystique is his role in The Man from Nowhere and his extended break from acting at the height of his fame. Won is referred to as a "dragon" by other celebrities due to the rarity of seeing him in person.{{cite web |date=August 8, 2020 |title='놀면' 유재석 이효리 비 "활동하면서 원빈 본 적 한 번도 없어"[결정적장면] |url=https://www.newsen.com/news_view.php?uid=202008081745518010 |trans-title='Hangout with Yoo' Yoo Jae Suk, Lee Hyori, Rain "I've never seen Won Bin in my life"[Crucial scene] |language=ko |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250421002415/https://www.newsen.com/news_view.php?uid=202008081745518010 |archive-date=April 21, 2025 |access-date=April 21, 2025 |website=Newsen}}{{cite web |date=November 11, 2024 |title=연예인 사이에서 '전설의 용' 원빈, 14년째 작품 안하는 이유 (당나귀 귀) |url=https://enews.imbc.com/M/Detail/436564 |trans-title="Legendary Dragon" Won Bin among celebrities, why no work for 14 years (Boss in the Mirror) |language=ko |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241111002548/https://enews.imbc.com/M/Detail/436564 |archive-date=November 11, 2024 |access-date=April 21, 2025 |website=iMBC}} As a result, he is frequently mentioned in popular culture.

• Director of Mother, Bong Joon Ho, said that he added the line "Do-joon's eyes are like a work of art. They're like deer's eyes" after casting Won in the part.{{cite web |last=Chang |first=Kee |date=April 13, 2017 |title=The Lost Interview: Bong Joon-ho |url=https://anthemmagazine.com/the-lost-interview-bong-joon-ho/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250319122019/https://anthemmagazine.com/the-lost-interview-bong-joon-ho/ |archive-date=March 19, 2025 |access-date=April 5, 2025 |website=Anthem}}

• Won is mentioned in the lyrics of Ladies' Code's single "Kiss Kiss": "난 오늘밤 꿈에서 난 원빈 오빠가 나타나 줄 텐데" (Tonight, in my dreams, Won Bin oppa will appear).{{cite web|url=http://www.melon.com/song/detail.htm?songId=4796658|title=KISS KISS|work=Melon|publisher=LOEN Entertainment|access-date=September 7, 2014|archive-date=September 6, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140906201551/http://www.melon.com/song/detail.htm?songId=4796658|url-status=live}}

• South Korean boy band iKon makes a reference to The Man from Nowhere in two songs, "Anthem" and "Hug Me". The lyrics of the first song say, "날고 기어도 다 씹어 먹어줄게 Call me 아저씨" (We'll chew you up like raw meat, call me ahjusshi), while the second song contains a reference to the final scene from the film.

• On Masta Wu's single "Come Here", Bobby says in his rap verse, "실력이 외모면 난 방탄 유리 앞에 원빈" (If skill equals to looks, I'm Won Bin in front of a bulletproof glass).{{Cite web|url=https://www.melon.com/song/lyrics.htm?songId=5486885|title=이리와봐 (Feat. Dok2, BOBBY)|website=Melon|language=ko|access-date=July 18, 2019|archive-date=January 25, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250125071150/https://www.melon.com/song/lyrics.htm?songId=5486885|url-status=live}}

• In episode 3 of the 2013 drama The Heirs, Choi Won-young's character asks to call him ahjusshi, to which Krystal Jung replies, "That's Won Bin."

• In episode 20 of the 2013 series Reply 1994, Sung Dong-il's character, who constantly makes incorrect predictions, sees a commercial with a long-haired Won and declares that he won't have longevity as a celebrity and will be forgotten the moment he tries to cut his hair like ahjusshi (a reference to a scene from The Man From Nowhere).

• Won is referenced twice in the 2013 series Good Doctor. In episode 15, Joo Won's character watches as another doctor comforts a little girl and says, "Our Professor is like Won Bin in The Man from Nowhere." In episode 16, the same character quotes Won from the film.

• In episode 7 of the 2015 drama Kill Me, Heal Me, Park Seo-joon's character says to Secretary Ahn that the elusive Writer Omega's looks were rumored to be "on the Won Bin level." When Ji Sung's character hears about this in episode 8, they set out to "look for someone who looks like Won Bin." After the search yields no results, Sung asks, "Truthfully, is a face at Won Bin's level common?"

• In episode 5 of the 2016 drama Guardian: The Lonely and Great God, Kim Go-eun's character mentions Won when Lee Dong-wook's character asks for "a male name that women love."{{cite web|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/117/0002853884|author=Jeon Won-won|title=[夜TV] 박보검vs원빈...'도깨비' 이동욱, 저승사자가 갖게될 이름은?|trans-title=[夜TV] Park Bo-gum vs Won Bin... 'Goblin' Lee Dong-wook, what name will the grim reaper have?|work=MyDaily|via=Naver|date=December 17, 2016|access-date=March 7, 2022|language=ko|archive-date=March 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220307094323/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/117/0002853884|url-status=live}}

• 2002: BVLGARI Brilliant Dreams Award (Japan)
• 2007: Appointed as UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador
• 2011: Best Jewellery Wearer Award (Japan)

• 2000: Best Dresser of the year
• 2002: Voted as the "April 2002 Most Beautiful Man" by MostBeautifulMan.com. The first Asian celebrity to win in this monthly poll.{{Cite web |url=http://www.mostbeautifulman.com/actors/wonbin/bio.shtml |title=April 2002 Most Beautiful Man - Won Bin |access-date=2009-08-01 |work=MostBeautifulMan.com, April 2002 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120511131147/http://mostbeautifulman.com/actors/wonbin/bio.shtml |archive-date=2012-05-11 }}
• 2005: Voted #1 "Favorite Asian Star" (2005) in the readers' survey by Japanese magazine "CanCam".
• 2005: Voted #1 "Favorite Asian Star" (2005) in the readers' survey by Japanese magazine "an.an".{{Cite web |url=http://news3.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-04/18/content_2844730.htm |title=Won Bin voted favorite Asian star |access-date=2009-08-01 |work=Xinhua News Agency, Apr 18, 2005 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120216055121/http://news3.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-04/18/content_2844730.htm |archive-date=2012-02-16 }}
• 2006: Voted #1 "Favorite Asian Star" (2006) in the readers' survey by Japanese magazine "an.an".
• 2007: Voted #1 "Favorite Asian Star" (2007) in the readers' survey by Japanese magazine "an.an".

{{Reflist|2}}

{{commons category}}

• [http://www.wonbinus.co.kr Won Bin Official Website]
• {{Kmdb person|00022613|Won Bin}}
• {{IMDb name|1047193|Won Bin}}
• {{HanCinema person}}

{{Baeksang Arts Awards for Best New Actor (TV)}}

{{Chunsa Film Art Awards for Best New Actor}}

{{Grand Bell Awards for Best Actor}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Won, Bin}}

Category:UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors

Category:20th-century South Korean male actors

Category:21st-century South Korean male actors

Category:South Korean male film actors

Category:South Korean male television actors

Category:South Korean male models

Category:South Korean male taekwondo practitioners

Category:Yong In University alumni

Category:Male actors from Gangwon Province, South Korea

Category:People from Jeongseon County

Category:1977 births

Category:Living people

Category:Best New Actor Paeksang Arts Award (television) winners